This course assumes no prior knowledge in law, business or engineering. However, students with backgrounds in all three areas will find useful concepts or ideas in the course on how to protect business innovations using patents. The approach taken in this course is practical and commercial rather than theoretical. A combination of lectures and case studies help to illustrate the concepts and make the course more interesting.
After completing this course, students should be able to understand how patents are issued and protect innovations, including: What is a patent? What do they protect? How do we get a patent? Where are patents valid? How much do they cost?
In addition to basic concepts the course also deals with advanced topics such as: software patents, business process patents, patenting life, patent trolls and multiple case examples of large and small companies using patents and patent lawsuits.
We also expect you to have fun in this course. So go forth and enjoy!

From the lesson

UTILITY PATENT REQUIREMENTS

We get down to the details on what is needed to submit a formal patent application including providing evidence regarding novelty, utility and non-obviousness. Let's dig in to the main meal.